AUSTRALIA’S Joel Parkinson has enhanced his chances of a first surfing world title by winning the Billabong Pro at South Africa’s Jeffreys Bay.Â
Parkinson, 28, proved too strong for American Damien Hobgood in the final, scoring 9.47 out of 10 on his first wave before cruising to a 15.97 to 11.94 triumph in clean 1.5 metre surf.
It was Parkinson’s second victory at the famous J-Bay, 10 years after he also won the event there as a wildcard in 1999.
A different approach to the world title is paying dividends for the veteran Aussie.
“In terms of the world title, I do my best not to think about it,” he said.
“In the past, I’ve done my head in by wondering how many points behind or ahead of someone I am…Â DetailsÂ
The highly anticipated Hawaiian Islands Vintage Surf Auction, presented by Quiksilver Wateman Collection, takes center stage at the Blaisdell Center in Honolulu this Friday and Saturday, July 17 & 18. The first strike of the hammer will occur at 5pm Saturday, as over 100 coveted surf collectibles worth more than $500,000 meet proud new owners.
Excitement is revving up as a record number of international collectors and film crews arrive into Honolulu, eager to get up close and personal with the best vintage surf collection ever offered.
The main auction catalog is now online for the world to see and advance bidding has begun! … Details
Jeff “Mr. Sunset” Hakman, a former Pipeline Masters and Duke Kahanamoku Classic champion, and co-founder of Quiksilver USA, is entering the Surfers’ Hall of Fame. Hakman joins Bruce Brown, Joey Buran and Pat O’Connell as the 2009 inductees into the prestigious Hall of Fame, at 10 a.m. Friday, July 24 in front of Huntington Surf & Sport (corner of PCH and Main). More information is available at http://hsssurf.com/hall.
“Jeff Hakman is truly one of the greatest surfer’s ever and has been one of the major influences of “Big Wave surfing,” said Surfers’ Hall of Fame founder Aaron Pai, “He’s about to get a little concrete on him…and we can’t wait to thank him for all he has done for our Sport of Surfing!!!”  … Details
Joel Parkinson has won the 2009 Billabong Pro Jeffreys Bay, at Supertubes, South Africa.
The Australian surfer defeated Damien Hobgood with a total 15.97 points in four-to-six (1-1,5 metre) waves.
Joel Parkinson has strengthened the lead of the 2009 WCT ranking…Â Details